Three African writers who made the shortlist of the 2016 Etisalat Prize for literature, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw, have held readings in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, as part of events planned by the prize sponsors, telecom giants, Etisalat to promote literature on the continent.
Congolese poet and novelist, Mujila, who won the prize for his novel Tram 83’ alongside shortlisted writers and South African duo Busetto and Russow, were in Nairobi between June 15 and 18 to hold talks, discussions and readings from their works.
A statement from the prize organisers said, “The authors also visited the University of Nairobi and Daystar University and had book reading sessions at Goethe-Institute Nairobi and PAWA254. As part of the programme, books were donated to the institutions during the book tour.”
Speaking on the essence of the tour, Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye, said the programme was aimed at putting African literature in more hands across the world. He expressed hope that the tour would help encourage more Africans to embrace African literature, adding that Africa is rich in literary talents.
It would be recalled that on June 1st, 2016, Etisalat announced its call for entries to the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.
Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who made this disclosure, also announced the Judging Panel for the 2016 Etisalat Prize. The panel comprises Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila, as the Chair of Judges; South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige-Renée Dro as members”.
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